Secrets to Hosting a Stress-Free and Spectacular Family Holiday Party
Let’s be real — hosting a holiday party can take your stress level from 0 to 60. Between sending invites, creating a menu while keeping in mind everyone’s dietary restrictions, and thinking of party favors, it can be a bit full-on.
But with a little planning and some handy tricks, you can host this year’s family Christmas party without having a meltdown. It’s a tough task, but we’ll help you get through with flying colors.
Here’s a closer look at four secrets to hosting a stress-free holiday party:
Declutter and Clean Gradually
The preliminary condition for hosting a large number of guests is having adequate space. This is where decluttering comes in. Once you’ve sent out the invites, get started with cleaning and preparing your house.
Do targeted decluttering in which you clear high-traffic areas, such as entryways, kitchen, and guest bathrooms. Clear off any surface that you can – counters, benches, side tables, coffee tables, and more.
Make space for guests’ coats and belongings. Most importantly, rearrange the furniture for movement and conversation. You don’t want your guests packed like sardines.
Cook Ahead
This can’t be emphasized enough. Preparing food as much as you can before the big day will make a world of difference.
Do add freezable items to the menu. Soups, stews, casseroles, quiches, tarts, and cookies can be prepared in advance and frozen. Some dishes, like braises, certain pastas, and kale salads, can actually taste better when made ahead and served the next day. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.
With food prepped beforehand, you will spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying with the guests.
Pro tip? Purchase non-perishable food items weeks before the party day to avoid those frustrating last-minute grocery store runs.
Don’t Forget Outdoor Decorations
So, the indoor looks spectacular with holiday lights and ornaments. But what about the outdoors?
Elegant outdoor decorations can create a welcoming atmosphere for the guests and can transform your home into a festive scene.
For Christmas, start by adding string lights around the house or pathway lights to guide guests. Then, create a focal point, such as a porch Christmas tree or a nativity scene. You can also use wreaths and garlands, as well as oversized ornaments. Nothing comes close to the impressive sizes and vivid colors of commercial Christmas decorations.
Create Comfort
With family parties, you can’t expect people to sit around a dinner table the entire evening. The vibe is lowkey and casual, so movement is expected.
If you’ve got a lot of company, a buffet might be the best option. Guests can gather around the table, fill up their plates, and sit wherever they want. Be sure to pull the table away from the wall so all four sides of the dining table are available.
Create a relaxing atmosphere with soft lighting, comfy seating, and lively background music. Just play the background music at a low, comfortable volume so it doesn’t overwhelm conversation.